superal

Are your speed tests good if you are using Tunnel Bear when connected to say the UK etc ?

Also , of the infected people , how many were wearing a mask ? I bet it is a high % . These medical masks are the most commonly worn mask . They give the wearer a false sense of security . They do not stop pathogens , in fact they stop very little as the masks have side cheek gaps and are never sealed . However if the wearer has a cough or sneeze the water droplets will be contained but I have witnessed people pulling down their mask to cough or sneeze . Often the masks are dirty , having been kept in a trouser pocket of cluttered hand bag . Often the wearer has the mask over their mouth only or even under their chin . Medical masks are a waste of time , only a n95 mask can help if changed daily . but they are not comfortable to wear for long periods .

The mind boggles , power cut right at the climax time . ☹️ , 🤣

I use a V.P.N. ( Surfshark ) most of the time on my laptop . I have noticed that there has been a lot of " no or slow connections " recently . So I did some speed tests and was surprised at the results as follows . FAST Speed test = no VPN 390mbps down , with VPN 20 Mbps down . OOkLA no VPN = 250 Mbps down , with VPN = no connection . Test my.net with VPN = 26 down , no VPN =55 Mbps down , When connected using my VPN I have a UK location address . Are my speed test results typical , or do other VPN companies give better results ?

Once the temperature hits mid 30s a fan just increases your discomfort . Like having a hair dryer on the hot mode blowing on you . Yesterday the temperature up here in Isaan was 41c . I had the Aircon on at 10 00 am all day and in my bedroom all night set at 25c . Most bars do not have Aircon but only fans . Makes drinking very uncomfortable I stay home with Aircon and ice cold beer . Big problem if there is a power cut . Either go for a ride in the car or go to a large supermarket . I have often seen Thai folk sat on the floor in a corner of a supermarket , eating , their brought with them , food , like a picnic . Poor farmer people getting out of their village where no one has Aircon . In the 12 years staying in Thailand , this is definitely the hottest summer I have experienced . Some places in Issan forecast to hit 43 c later this week . Temperature to drop to 34-36 c May 6th ish .

Well , the elite Thai have suppressed the lower classes and maybe have the same plan for the expat . Certainly see nothing to encourage a non wealthy ex pat retiree to Thailand . Ex pats in Thailand have no standing , no voice or representation . As for the embassies , are they still here ? Expats are seen by the Thai as walking ATMs . Two tier pricing , visa rules and expenses , now possible tax on income or the hassle to prove otherwise . Not only are Brits avoiding Thai holidays but there have been reports of ex pat retirees leaving Thailand .

Some shops where I live have a series of steps that are about 7 inches high and no handrail . Do not see any wheelchair users where I live because almost impossible to negotiate the so called pavements .Thai women with babies in push chairs use the road . Back to the topic . The Thai government must know that Thai standards in many categories are third world at best but they do not give a flying xxxx . Thai holidays should carry a health warning . Thai gov; needs to wake up, smell the coffee and join the 21st century .

Not over Russia for Thai Air or Eva Air . They fly over Afghanistan , Pakistan / India . Recently changed their flight paths to avoid Ukraine , Israel , Iran . Certainly , flying with a Chinese airline will be a lot cheaper if you don't mind a long stop over . I prefer non stop flights . Have a few drinks and sleep . Don't like the hassle of security checks and re-boarding . Once used Scoot Air from Gatwick . Half the normal price , direct and new aircraft . Sadly they no longer fly direct to Thailand .

Agree with most of your post accept the mention of the disabled . They are not well catered for especially for someone in a wheelchair who will have to take their chance by using the road . Broken pavements in every town in Thailand with vendors taking up space that should be clear for pedestrians . Thailand compared with some European holiday venues , just does not compare . Look at the beautiful Spanish promenades . Thai pedestrian crossings mean this is where you must cross the road and Thai drivers will not give you priority when using the crossing . Red lights at a crossing are often ignored . Etc Etc . Finally one of the major factors for the absence of Brits to Thailand is the ridiculous cost of air fares . It appears that all of the air lines have agreed to hike up their fares . Lucky if you can get an economy flight for under a grand . Imagine a family facing those fares . They will either stay in the UK ( BTW UK holiday bookings at an all time high )or be off to the Balearics .

Happened to me too . Inferior materials do not last . Cheap materials may save money initially and appear to be similar to the more expensive ones . That is why I would only buy Bluescope insulated roof panels . Fact , metal roof noise from the rain depends on the steepness of the roof I.E. A flat metal roof will be much noisier than a steep roof . What surprises me is that in Thailand there is little consideration given to venting the hot air from the attic , even with new buildings . Solar powered whirly bird vents fitted on the roof would have reduce the loft heat substantially and in turn make the house cooler plus reduce Aircon running costs .

That has been my opinion from early on . I posted it on this forum and to my surprise there were those who supported the fact that Israel were bombing the Palestine indiscriminately . All carried out under the premise of defending itself . What B/S . Biden has blood on his hands because he supplied weaponry to Israel . I am not a Muslim , nor a Jew but a humanist .

I also cannot open the link because I do not belong to F/B and never will .

That is what I was thinking or maybe hotter

If it's 41 c in the shade in Isaan , what is the temperature out of the shade ?

What province do you live in ? 30 km outside of Surin Isaan it shows 41c in the shade

OK , these are facts . Israel has the backing of America . Iran nuclear development is well supported by Russia because of the Iran help and drone supply to Russia during the Ukraine war . Also Russia to supply military weapons , fighter jets ,warships , helicopters and the technology / assistance for Iran to manufacture its own weapon stock pile , fighter jets and naval vessels . Do you believe that Western intelligence can infiltrate the Iranian security ? Once upon a time satellite spying was the way but now has its limitations .

Ever cloud has a silver lining , because when they go to prison they will get plenty of practice .

Up here in Isaan the daily temperature is at least 40 c every day . Fans do nothing but blow hot air on you . I normally go to my office at 10 am with intermittent aircon . Many of my friends do the same and even my Thai lady surrenders to my office to cool down . Now when the temperature drops next month to the mid thirties , I can resume my normal activities . I know several Europeans who leave Thailand for a couple of months at this time of the year . Some Europeans can tolerate the heat better than others . I used to bask in the Turkish sun ( temperature mid 40s ) but not now . As for driving , I kind of understand but I have adopted the " never assume anything " when driving in Thailand . Have a dash cam installed . Swimming ? maybe try to get to a safe Thai beach for a couple of weeks ?

Iran was on the verge of nuclear bombs a couple of years ago . It is shrouded in secrecy . Speculation has it that Iran already has the bomb . Testing might not have happened to prevent detection . There are many opinions and conjecture but Iran is known to have all the tools , skills and ingredients to make nuclear weapons / bombs . One opinion link below . https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/19/does-iran-already-have-nuclear-weapons/

Surin . Recently attended a private hospital and saw a haematologist who also took a CBC and sent the blood to Bangkok for analysis because I have been diagnosed with anemia . Colonoscopy and gastroscopy results were negative . I will see the hematologist next week for results .

If the question had been , will Iran use nukes on Israel , I would say a possibility . If Israel retaliates over the recent drone invasion , Israel will annihilate Iran . The only way to react would be for Iran to nuke Israel . They are crazy enough to do it , are believed to hold an arsenal of nukes and will not care about the consequences .

It was the young doctor who told me to fast . All the doctors who take care of walk in patients in my local government hospital are straight out of medical school and are expected to diagnose every malady . They must be making mistakes and they are not supervised .

Hi Sheryl , your opinion on the following please . When ever I attend a Thai hospital , private or government , as soon as you walk in they want to take your blood pressure . My local hospital often involves walking from the car park ( !00 meters ) in hot weather , up a steep slope to the hospital entrance, on arrival , told by the nurse to use the automatic b/p machine which always give an elevated b/p reading . So I tell her give me 5 minutes and I will do the test again . Results are then OK . I was always led to believe that you have to sit and relax for 5 minutes to do a b/p test . But does not happen for me in Thailand .

Agree . It would not be my first choice to reside as it is probably the hottest part of Thailand . Power cuts are frequent . Local population little or no education . Etc etc but I have been here for over 12 years with my lady who runs our restaurant . She takes good care of me and we have never quarrelled . Complete contrast to my UK ex of 30 odd years . If our relationship failed I would be looking to go south of Thailand or even give the Philippines a visit .

I only get that problem when I use the AA app on my phone to book but not when using my computer ( as far as I can recall ) . I have used Booking.com for Thai domestic flights , straight forward and without any problems .